Chapter Twenty-Four

Kakashi came to his senses with a shudder. He groaned against the pain and cold that assaulted his body even as his mind kicked itself into full gear. Where was he? What had happened? How long had he been out? His eyes snapped open and he searched frantically for the sky. He remembered the sun had been beginning to turn a hazy yellow when –

He froze, his eyes caught on the silver glow of the moon high above the trees. It was night?

Frantically, he clawed for his memories. It had still been late afternoon when he had been rushing toward the gate and… He groaned for an entirely different reason. He remembered now. He had been crushed against a tree by a goose that had imploded from the size of teacup to the magnitude of a building. That was the last memory he had.

Clenching his jaws, he staggered to his feet and looked again to the sky. Was it really over? Had he failed? Why…

His foot slipped, and he stumbled to his knees with a sharp hiss. Several of his ribs felt like they were cracked, and his left arm was bleeding freely after being run through by Yuki's katana earlier in the day.

He swore under his breath and fought for calm. He could sense someone approaching.

"Kakashi!"

He looked up in surprise at his teacher's voice. Not a second later, Minato came into view, kicking off a tree and landing in front of him.

"Are you alright?"

Kakashi stared blankly at him for a long moment and then lowered his head. "I didn't make it in time, did I?"

Minato hesitated, and then shook his head.

"…What about Obito?"

"He didn't make it either."

Kakashi clenched his fingers in the snow and took a breath before looking up into familiar blue eyes.

"You should have more faith in your cousin, Yuki-san."

He flung a fistful of snow into the surprised face in front of him and pivoted to his feet at the same time. He snapped a back kick and felt it connect with a dull thud.

Minato called out his name, but Kakashi was already halfway through dispelling the illusion. The night sky gave way to the deep scarlet of sunset and Yuki rose slowly to his feet in front of him, rubbing his arm.

"What if that really was Minato?"

"Unlikely," Kakashi growled. "I'll never fall for your illusions again."

The ANBU shrugged. "It served its purpose. The sun's going to set in less than five minutes."

"We're two minutes from the gate."

"And look at me," Yuki said, spreading his arms. "Just scratches and bruises no matter how hard you tried."

There was no denying that. Kakashi had known from the get-go that his chances of winning a head-on clash were near impossible. So for the last day and a half, he had laid traps, set up ambushes, pulled every trick he knew to catch the ANBU off guard – nearly working, and yet ultimately failing, each time.

Speaking of traps.

Kakashi pushed his pain to the back of his mind, raised his hands and detonated the ring of explosives he had been setting when the massive duck had knocked him unconscious. The ground under Yuki's feet exploded in a deafening blast.

As if propelled by the heat and fire, the snow rose into a twisting flurry from the ground and crashed down over Kakashi. He repelled it with a Goukakyuu, holding it at bay just long enough for him to use a Kawarimi to escape out of harm's way.

He vaulted up a tree, his mind running rampant with numerous theories and tactics for facing stronger opponents. Fragments of thoughts and strategies had been wreaking havoc in his head for hours, but he sorted through them once again, searching desperately for something he had missed.

The first tactic was naturally to run, which wasn't an option. The second was to seek reinforcement, which wasn't an option either. The third was to buy enough time to observe the opponent and find even the smallest weakness to exploit.

It was this third option that Kakashi had been focusing on, but he was quickly running out of both time and energy. It hurt just to breath and his head felt dizzy from lack of blood and rest.

Focus. Focus!

Forcing the discomforts from his mind, Kakashi went over all the mental data he had collected so far.

Yuki's main affinity was snow. He could also use wind, water, fire and earth – in that order of proficiency – but Kakashi had a growing suspicion that the ANBU wasn't as adept with those elements as he first appeared to be. For one, he never used a consecutive sequence of elemental ninjutsu other than snow. For another, the techniques he did use were limited and all highly advanced, as if he had learned them for the sole purpose of intimidating and misleading his opponents.

If that was the case, Kakashi had a plan – even if it more accurately resembled a flimsy bet with extreme risks and slim chances of success. He didn't have a choice anymore. It was all or nothing.

Kakashi snorted to himself. Obito would be proud.

He crouched low on a branch and searched the surroundings. His fingers rose to grip the hilt of the short sword strapped to his back before slowing releasing it. He had yet to use the chakra blade, unable to shake how foreign it felt in his hand. But he would need it to win.

A clump of snow fell to his left. Kakashi spun to the right, jerking his injured arm up to block the snap kick to his face. The force of the blow sent him skidding along the branch, but he flung a handful of shuriken, stopping the ANBU from immediately closing the distance between them.

Kakashi brought his hands together, sucked in a breath and released a gust of air. The ANBU leapt above it and countered the second blast with a volley of fire. Kakashi rolled off the branch and clung to its underside, then slammed his hand against the wood, sending a Kamaitachi blade straight into it. The sickled wind technique tore through the branch and caught Yuki in mid-air, but he swung his sword against it and used the collision to change his momentum, escaping with just a shallow cut.

The ANBU kicked off from the tree and pursued Kakashi to the forest floor. A deft swipe of his katana deflected the volley of kunai Kakashi threw at him, but it also caught on a lone wire that triggered a web of explosives to reel into where he landed.

Kakashi glimpsed a wall of ice rise to protect Yuki a second before being engulfed by the flames from his last explosives. They weren't nearly enough to make a dent in the ANBU's defense, but the condensation forming on the ice's surface was all Kakashi needed. Forming a standard Suiton seal, he manipulated the water and shot them into the ground like a rain of bullets.

Breathing harshly through gritted teeth, Kakashi immediately followed with the seals of a lightning technique. He thrust his hand into the snow until he felt the frozen ground, his chakra exploding into the earth with the help of the water he had just sent in.

He knew Yuki was underground. The ice pillar formed a compete circle and coming out the top was too predictable. Neither did he think for a second that the ANBU would wait patiently inside.

Affirming just that, a tremor ran through the ground. Kakashi leapt back as a spiraling column of wind erupted out of the snow, as thick as the ancient trees and with an intensity that neutralized Kakashi's lightning and threw the entire clearing into obscurity.

Kakashi ducked behind a tree to escape the worst of the blast. This was what he was waiting for. If he had read Yuki's fighting pattern correctly, he wouldn't follow-up with another ninjutsu technique. Instead –

He spun. A half-cracked ANBU mask filled his vision, revealing one expressionless, dark eye.

Kakashi threw himself back, reaching for his weapon's pouch. But the kunai in Yuki's left hand stabbed him in the forearm, yanking him down to the ground. The katana pierced his shoulder at the same time and drew a strangled cry from his lips.

Yuki planted a foot onto his chest and leaned on it. "Checkmate, kid."

Kakashi gasped against the pressure on his ribs and gripped the ANBU's ankle with a weak, shaking hand. He glared, his vision slipping.

Then his body went up in smoke.

Yuki straightened in surprise. "A clone."

Behind him, a deep voice spoke with a hint of amusement and nostalgia. "You still haven't fixed that habit of yours, have you, Yuki?"

The ANBU whirled. His one visible eye widened at the sight of Sakumo, and his movements froze.

Kakashi didn't pause – didn't allow himself to feel relieved that he had been able to impersonate his father's voice enough to unhinge Yuki on a psychological level. He lunged, the White Fang's chakra blade coming alive in a streak of white light as it passed through the illusion of his father.

Yuki jerked his sword up, but the fissure Kakashi had made in it with the Kamaitachi gave way under the pressure of the chakra saber. The ANBU's katana splintered.

A gust of wind ripped through the air.

Kakashi jerked his blade back and pivoted to the source of disturbance. Across the road dividing his and Obito's exam territories, branches were being torn by two vortexes spinning in opposite directions.

"Obito." Kakashi recognized it immediately as the Reverse Winds.

"Pay attention," Yuki snapped. He dove into Kakashi's striking range, the broken katana replaced with a kunai in each hand.

Kakashi parried them with the chakra blade, squinting through the snow and woodchips still pelting through the air. His body wasn't keeping up. He could hardly breathe. His feet slipped and stumbled in the snow. Unable to keep up with the ANBU's speed, he threw his left shoulder into one the kunai and shoved his blade forward.

Yuki jumped back, just as another explosion rocked the area. The wind died abruptly, and a short scream pierced the sudden quiet.

From the corner of his eyes, Kakashi saw Obito being hurled out of the trees. His body was limp, sailing through the air with enough speed and force to reach where Kakashi stood – out of Obito's boundary.

Kakashi didn't think. Sheathing the chakra blade, he took two bounds and launched himself into the air, catching Obito before he crossed the line and throwing them both back into Obito's side.

"K... Kakashi?"

"Hatake?!"

Both voices were drowned out by a thunderous noise. Kakashi lurched to his feet, already running, straight into a rearing wall of mud and snow, surging toward them like a tidal wave.

He didn't know if he was still breathing. He couldn't feel the fingers he forced into hand signs. The roar of the earth technique was swallowed by a high-pitched screech, and then there was nothing at all. Not a sound.

The blinding light in Kakashi's right hand pierced the torrent of earth and it felt like falling through a paper door. For a second, he saw the ANBU on the other side.

He tried to stop – knew he couldn't.

So he did the only thing he could, throwing his entire weight to the side, even as Yuki tackled the other ANBU out of the way. Kakashi felt his hand collide and sink into Yuki's shoulder, sending them both crashing into the snow.

"Kakashi!" Obito limped toward them, his eyes widening at the sight of his cousin's ruptured shoulder.

"Yuki-san!" The Owl rushed over.

Kakashi gasped for breath and struggled to lift himself. He didn't make it an inch off the ground, but he could see the blood rapidly staining the snow under Yuki, despite the second examiner pressing down on the wound.

"Obito," he croaked. "Get sensei… the medics."

A sudden bark of laughter drew their attentions. Yuki lifted what was left of his mask with his uninjured hand and pulled his lips into a grin that looked, and was more than likely, a grimace.

"That's… the whole point, brat," he said through clenched teeth. He caught Obito's eyes. "Take him. Finish the exam."

Obito glanced at the sky and Kakashi followed his line of sight. There was no telling how much time was left from where they stood. It could have been a minute, or seconds. He saw his friend drag his leg through the snow and stooped to pull Kakashi's arm across his shoulders.

"I'm… disqualified," Kakashi breathed, his words sounding slurred even to his own ears.

"I don't give a damn," Obito growled, taking one lurching step and then another. "What the hell was that anyway? Why –"

Obito stopped. Kakashi raised his eyes with an effort and saw Minato standing in front of them. He wasn't sure if the darkness surrounding his teacher was natural or the encroaching wave of unconsciousness.

"Sensei?"

Minato hesitated and then said, "The sun just set. The exams are over. I'm afraid you're both disqualified."

.-.-.-.

In the hospital, Rin ticked off the last two items on her list, completing a routine check of medical supplies. She made a note to replenish their stock of sealing scrolls – used to carry equipment on missions and to battlefields – then lowered the clipboard with a sigh.

The supply room didn't have any windows, but a look at the clock told her it would be growing dark outside. She headed to the door, planning to check up on a few patients before helping with evening medications. Her hand was on the knob when it was suddenly wrenched away and thrown opened from the other side.

Both Rin and the medic jumped.

"Touma-san," she said, recognizing him as one of the chief doctors.

He recovered quickly and barked out orders. "I need IV fluids, blood supplies, anesthesia..."

Rin snapped to attention and obeyed without question. She had gone through this procedure enough times to know they had an emergency. With the supplies and a cartload of bandages and gauzes, she followed Touma to the treatment rooms.

As they strode down the hallways, he explained, "We received notice of four incoming patients, three in critical condition. I called for two other medics and two nurses. Depending on the patients' conditions, I need you to assist us wherever we need a hand."

"Of course," Rin replied.

She glanced over her shoulder at the sound of stretchers being wheeled through the corridors. She stepped aside to let them pass, surprised to see an ANBU on the first gurney. Then she froze when the second and third rolled by.

"Kakashi! Obito!" The names were out before she could check herself.

"You know them?" Touma asked.

"They're my –" Rin hesitated, suddenly unsure of how to define their relationship. Classmates? Friends? But that wasn't all. They were special to her in a way that made her chest constrict in irrational fear to see them hurt. As if they would disappear from her life as suddenly as –

She gave herself a mental shake and reined in her emotions.

"I do, but I won't let it affect my judgement," she said, facing her superior.

Touma regarded her for a moment, but Rin knew it wasn't the time for either of them to be weighing their uncertainties. He simply gave a curt nod and then disappeared into the ANBU's treatment room.

For the next hour, Rin carried scrolls, equipment and bandages to each of the rooms and monitored the conditions of the three unconscious patients. Kakashi and Obito's injuries were widespread. Many were days old. Kakashi's chakra was depleted to a point where parts of his body were beginning to shut down, and Obito suffered numerous lacerations across his torso and limbs. The ones on his left shoulder and right leg were especially severe, running deep enough to damage his bones.

Since the night she had witnessed Kakashi's trial, she had asked her superiors at the hospital about the Jounin exam. Through them, she had discovered its history, abolishment and the unique cases when it would resurface again like an urban legend. Many were disapproving of the excessive risks it took and she thought she understood now. One wrong step and all three of them could have died.

Rin headed to the last room. The ANBU's shoulder had given them the most trouble. None of the medics had seen a wound like this before. The skin was torn open, the muscles gouged, bones splintered. While it was no longer life threatening after the blood loss was addressed, an additional medic needed to be called to assist Touma with a regenerative healing treatment.

From the corner of the room, Rin studied the ANBU's face. She recognized his broken mask from that night nearly a week ago. Unbidden, the memories rose and her fingers tightened around the clipboard she held.

The fact that Kakashi and Obito were back safe should have been reassuring enough, but something still nagged at the corner of her mind.

"Rin?"

She looked to the door where one of the nurses beckoned her over. Rin left the treatment room but found her gone.

"Tomoe-san?" she called quietly.

A short way down the hall, one of the doors rolled open and a hand waved. "Over here."

Rin hurried inside to find another ANBU agent sitting on the exam table and Tomoe writing down a few hasty notes.

"Sorry about that," Tomoe said. "I didn't want this one to bolt while I was fetching you."

The ANBU huffed. "I'm not Yuki-san."

"Believe me, I know a few others."

The ANBU's mask lay on the table beside him, revealing a man with closely cropped hair and a slender face, marred along one cheek by an old scar. His chest was bared, and Rin could make out the traces of freshly healed skin along his right arm, from shoulder to elbow.

"This is Takeda Ryo," Tomoe went on, handing Rin his clinal record. "He had second to third-degree burns. I took care of that. Could you finish up and prepare the prescribed medication?"

"Of course."

Tomoe thanked her, then left. Rin pulled down a jar of ointment from the shelves, picked up several rolls of bandages and then paused as she turned back to the patient.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to run," he said.

"I'm sorry." Rin realized she was staring. She set down the items and placed her hands against his arm, gently probing with her chakra. His skin was still feverish, and she recognized that it would take several days for the damaged nerves to fully heal. As much as everyone wished medical ninjutsu to be an absolute cure, reality was far from ideal.

She picked up the ointment and spread it gently over his tender skin. "Does it hurt?"

"No."

It was a line she heard too often from stubborn men. One she had learned to thoroughly ignore.

She glanced at his blank face. "Were you an examiner as well?"

He turned his eyes to her. "What are you talking about?"

Rin pressed her lips together and put down the ointment jar.

"I was taken to Kakashi's exam," she said simply, holding his gaze, unwilling to be brushed aside.

He was silent for a moment, then said, "You're Nohara Rin?"

"Yes… How do you know that?"

"I saw you on Obito's profile. His deceased teammate's cousin. Similar appearance. Medic. Genin. I see." He paused. "If Yuki-san hadn't used you, I would have."

"So it's true? I was just used as bait?" Her voice came out sharper than she intended to.

Ryo raised his other shoulder in a shrug. "You're an easy target. And whether you're aware of it or not, you're a weakness to them."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, if you were taken hostage in a real-life situation, would you be able to escape on your own?"

"I'd do anything in my power to," Rin said.

He shook his head. "I checked your profile. You don't have enough combat skills or the experience. Were you able to do anything during the exam?"

Rin began to respond, then stopped. She picked up the bandages instead, her fingers working automatically.

She understood what Ryo was implying. It was true, she hadn't been able to do anything during Kakashi's trial. That was what troubled her most. If she could have noticed the illusion, or at least gotten free from the Lynx, she could have done something to help Kakashi.

"I'm not saying you're a hinderance," Ryo went on. "Your skills as a medic are outstanding for your age. I'm just saying, if that's all you have, you shouldn't be surprised that you were used as bait – and could be used again in the future. I don't know about Hatake, but if that happens, I know Obito would compromise anything to save you."

"Why?" she murmured, almost to herself. "I'm not their teammate. I'm not Midori."

"I don't have the answer to that. I'm just speaking from what I saw in the exam."

Rin finished her task in silence and then looked back up at the ANBU. "Thank you. I'll take your advice to heart." She smiled. "You're kinder than you look."

Ryo blinked in surprise. "I'm sure Obito would disagree."

She chuckled. "I'll tell him he's got you all wrong."

After putting away the equipment, she left him to dress and asked him to meet her in the waiting room. Following Tomoe's instructions, Rin stopped by the drug storage room to gather the prescribed medicines and then headed to the entrance of the hospital.

There were still a handful of patients left in the waiting area, and Rin had to look around a moment before spotting the ANBU near the doors with Minato. She approached them slowly, not sure whether it was rude to interrupt, until she caught Minato's eyes and he invited her with a smile.

"Ryo-san, your medication," she said, handing him the paper bag.

"Thank you." He took it, and then turned back to Minato. "We'll see you tomorrow as planned."

Minato frowned. "That can wait. I'll talk to Hokage-sama."

"If it's about Captain, you don't have to worry. Believe me, the nurses will be chasing after him by midmorning tomorrow."

Rin looked between the two, baffled at the knowing look on Minato's face.

"You mean the ANBU in the treatment room?" she asked, feeling like someone needed to voice common sense. "He won't be getting up at all tomorrow."

Ryo snorted. "You don't know him. His vitality matches a cockroach's."

Minato sighed and shrugged. "Let's wait and see until he wakes up. In the meantime, you better get some rest yourself."

"I will," Ryo said. "Your student certainly didn't make things easy for me." With a respectful bow, he left the hospital.

For a second, Rin thought she saw a shadow fall across Minato's face, but it was gone the moment he met her eyes.

"Do you have any updates on Obito and Kakashi?" he asked.

Rin nodded and gave him a brief report of their injuries. "They should be coming out of treatment anytime now. Should I come get you when they do?"

Minato hesitated, then shook his head. "They need the rest. I know they're in good hands. Thank you, Rin." He paused. "I was told you got dragged into the exam as well. I'm sorry about that."

"There's nothing to be sorry for." She smiled, hoping to reassure him, and at the same time, give shape to her own resolve. "I used to think it was okay that I wasn't good at fighting, as long as I became a good healer. But I realized I was just being soft on myself. I don't want to pull anyone's leg anymore."

Minato looked surprised. "You aren't –"

"But I could," she said with a firm shake of her head.

He stared at her for a moment, then his eyes softened, and a small smile lifted his lips. He reached out and rested a hand on her head.

"I won't argue," he said. "Whatever you have in mind, I trust you'll be able to do it. You have a different sort of strength from Midori. Quieter, but powerful all the same. If you ever need help, I'll be glad to lend a hand."

"Thank you, Minato-sensei." She smiled, feeling her heart lift.

His trust gave her courage. His words gave her hope.

She wanted to catch up to Kakashi and Obito. She wanted to live up to Midori's legacy. In her own way, she promised to herself, she would find a way to become their equals.

.-.-.-.

The moment Kakashi came to his senses, he nearly bolted upright if not for the distinct smell of the hospital. A chill passed through his body, the residue of cold sweat, and he forced his tense muscles to relax. The exam was over. Releasing a slow breath, he blinked several times to clear his blurred sight.

"Good morning, sunshine."

The voice almost made him jump. He turned his head and found Yuki sitting in a chair beside the window. The ANBU was dressed in a hospital gown with his right arm in a sling, and though his face was pale, his eyes were as alert as ever.

"I thought you were critically injured," Kakashi mumbled.

"Thanks to you."

He was about to say something back when the last details of the previous night fell into place and chagrin silenced him. It was one thing to land a calculated strike on his examiner. It was altogether something else to lose control of his own attack, forcing Yuki to intervene.

"I'm pretty sure I know what you're thinking," Yuki said, "and I won't deny there's room for improvement with that technique of yours. But that's not what I'm here for. I want to ask you something else."

Kakashi looked up.

"Before Obito was thrown over like a dirty rag, why –"

A loud cough interrupted them.

Kakashi glanced to his other side where the curtains were still shut. "Obito?"

"I heard that," his teammate grumbled.

"Yeah, and what are you going to do about it?" Yuki taunted.

The curtains flew aside and Obito started to sit up with a glare, only to choke on a sharp breath and fall back onto the bed.

"Lie still, you idiot," Yuki said.

Obito groaned. "Not… an idiot."

"Shut up. I didn't sneak around behind the nurses to talk to you."

"You snuck out?" Obito blinked and then narrowed his eyes in glee, reaching for the nurse call button.

"Try it," Yuki growled, "and I'll tell everyone how long you were wetting your bed."

Obito froze and what little color was in his face, drained.

"Good, now, Hatake –"

Kakashi jabbed the nurse call.

"No!" Yuki lurched forward in horror. It was no surprise when he toppled over and collapsed on the edge of Kakashi's bed with a pained hiss.

"You're in no condition to be out of bed, Yuki-san," Kakashi said.

The ANBU made a strangled noise into the sheets. "You… little…"

Kakashi slowly pushed himself to a sitting position, ignoring Obito's stifled guffaws on the other side. "What did you want to ask?"

His face still buried, Yuki took a few deep breaths. "Before that filthy rag was thrown over, you had a chance to cut me. But you didn't. Why?"

"I thought it could have been an enemy," Kakashi replied. "The chances were slim, but if it was, it would have been stupid to injure you."

"So you stopped. You didn't hesitate." Yuki turned his head. "That's what you're saying?"

Kakashi raised a brow. "You thought I hesitated? I wouldn't have tried to crack open your jaw if I were that naïve."

Yuki grinned. "That's true. One more: Why did you save Obito knowing it would disqualify you?"

He hadn't expected that question.

"That's something I want to know too," Obito said. All signs of amusement disappeared from his face.

While Kakashi was trying to find the words to explain, the door to the room slid open, drawing all of their attentions. Yuki cursed.

Nurse Tomoe stood stunned in the doorway, her eyes fixed on Yuki with an intensity that nearly made Kakashi feel sorry for the ANBU.

Nearly.

Tomoe jerked her head out of the door and shouted, "I found him, he's in here! Quick!"

The sound of feet thundered down the hallway.

"This is all your fault," Yuki snapped, pushing up from the bed with a grimace.

"Oh no, you don't!" Tomoe grabbed his arm and waved over a nurse pushing a wheelchair. The room was suddenly filled with half a dozen nurses and their frantic voices.

"I can walk, dammit!" Yuki protested, even as he was shoved none too gently into the wheelchair.

"Did I ask you for an opinion, you rotten patient?" Tomoe shouted back.

"It was just five minutes! I wasn't going anywhere!"

"That's five minutes too long. I'm going to tranquilize you here and now if you don't do as I say." She brandished a fully prepped injector to make good on her threat.

"Wait, no, stop!" Yuki warded her away with his free arm. "I need to go see Sandaime."

"You're going nowhere."

The team of nurses whirled the wheelchair around and started pushing him out.

"You can't stop me!" Yuki growled, craning his neck back at Tomoe.

She pinned him with a look. "Try me."

"I've been summoned by the Hokage." His voice was no more than a whine now.

"That's great, I'll show him to your room."

"Are you crazy!?"

The door rolled shut to stunned silence.

Obito slowly lowered the sheets from over his head and peered at the door, then at Kakashi. "Remind me never to get on their bad sides."

"You already have a history."

Obito made a face and then pushed himself gingerly up against the headboard. "Seriously though, why did you save me?"

Kakashi paused for a second, then said, "It took me 33 hours to corner Yuki-san. I wasn't going to manage a second time in under a minute, so I figured at least one of us should pass the exam."

It felt odd seeing his friend without his goggles. His eyes seemed darker and quieter as they regarded him in silence for a while. Then he sighed and scratched his head.

"You were calm enough to think about all that in a second?"

"Not quite," Kakashi admitted. "But that's what it amounts to."

In truth, he hadn't been thinking much all in that instant. He had only been driven by an overwhelming desire to see Obito succeed. Even if they had both ultimately failed, he didn't regret his choice.

"Thanks, Kakashi," Obito said with a rueful smile. "Sorry I didn't make it either. To be honest though, I'm kind of glad I didn't. It would have been totally weird being your superior."

"I could get used to that. I'd dump all the responsibility on you for once."

Obito laughed. "We'll make it next time."

Kakashi smiled under the mask and nodded.

.-.-.-.

Yuki knew that one of the perks of being in ANBU was getting private rooms in the hospital. What shouldn't have been a perk was getting to stay in bed while the Hokage himself came to hear his subordinate's mission report. And it wasn't even just the Hokage.

The room, by no means spacious, was crammed from wall to wall with six other ANBU, in addition to Ryo and Minato. By all means, they should have been in the Hokage's office, or at the very least, one of the debriefing rooms.

"Konoha's secretly ruled by the nurses, isn't it?" he mumbled.

Sandaime chuckled. "I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case. But today's meeting was Minato's idea."

"We were a little late to keep you in bed, but your team knows you well," Minato said with an amused glance at Ryo.

Yuki gave his subordinate a dirty look and received a blank stare in return.

"Captain…" The Lynx coughed quietly from where he stood, still masked, with the Raven, the Deer and the rest of the assessment team.

"Alright, alright," Yuki sighed, dropping the petulant attitude and turning his attention to the Third.

"Minato informed me of the final results," Sandaime began, and then looked to each of the gathered ANBU agents in turn. "Now, more importantly, I'd like to hear your complete reports."

A/N: Because when did "rules" mean anything in a ninja exam? :P

I hope you enjoyed! Thank you for your patience. Now for some of the exam's mysteries to be revealed.

.LinSetsu.